Ethelene Kirk Cook Obituary (1927 - 2020)

Ethelene Kirk Cook, 93, entered into Glory, December 24, 2020. She was born November 23, 1927 to Horace and Evie Kirk of Cedar Grove, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 69 years Rev. Arnold B. Cook, her parents, sisters Helen Cook and Brooksie Hunley, and brother Aaron Kirk. Surviving family members include daughters Loretta Burgess (Andrew) of Madison, NC, Linda Shirley (David) of Wilmington, NC and Marsha Clayman (David) of Chapin, SC. Her six grandchildren are Daniel Shirley, Andrew Shirley, Jeremy Clayman, Josh Clayman, Brenna Newcomb, and Andrea Silvey. There are 15 great grandchildren. Ethelene was the oldest of nine children and her surviving siblings are brothers Glen Kirk of Lexington,TN, and Michael Kirk of Johnson City, TN, and sisters Joel Byrd of Cedar Grove, TN, Marcie Pierce of Manchester, TN, and Brenda Fidler of Lexington, TN. Her daughters will miss her continued thirst for knowledge through reading and writing and was very influential to all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren to read. In earlier times before her diagnosis of ALZ, we always enjoyed her competiveness when it came to a good debate - she always stood her ground. We will always cherish her love for being such a wonderful cook and grateful to our father for his videotaping of her fixing her favorite pie crust and mashed potatoes so we could always have it to look back on. She loved nature - whether it was gardening, weeding, hauling wood, or even handling of little critters that she delighted in showing to her grandchildren. She loved learning, having attended six universities, graduating from Eastern Michigan University, and teaching in six schools. She delighted in the role of pastor's wife of 65 years in Kentucky, West Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alaska. She volunteered teaching English to Hispanics, crafts in nursing homes, meals on wheels, and volunteering at the polls. Her grandchildren will miss her loving care of their Granddad, mashed potatoes and apple pie. The family appreciates the wonderful, loving care given to Ethelene Cook while she resided at North Pointe of Mayodan these last few months and the services of Colonial Funeral Home of Madison. The family also wants those who knew our parents during their various ministries know that our parents considered each one a blessing and we appreciate the love, attention, and prayers so graciously given to them and their ministries. The family will receive friends from 1 pm.to 2 pm. Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at Colonial Funeral Home in Madison. Ethelene's memorial service and burial is private. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army of Reidsville, and the Western NC Chapter of Alzheimers Chaper of Greensboro. Condolences may be offered at www.colonialfh.net